Sylvester Stallone’s Unexpected Pick for Best ‘Rocky’ Film—It’s Not What You’d Expect

Sylvester Stallone has long been synonymous with the underdog spirit embodied by his most famous creation: Rocky Balboa. The 1976 classic Rocky catapulted him to stardom, turning a struggling actor and writer into a cultural icon. Over the decades, the Rocky series grew into one of the most beloved sports franchises of all time. Yet, despite the monumental success of the original, Stallone recently shared that his personal favorite entry in the saga came much later in his career—Rocky Balboa (2006).

In an interview, Stallone revealed why Rocky Balboa holds such a special place in his heart, describing it as the most challenging installment to bring to life. “The first one is my favourite,” he explained, “but emotionally the last one, Rocky Balboa. That was the hardest one to get done. No one believed in it, it was such a long shot.”

By the time Rocky Balboa came around, Stallone was facing a skeptical industry. After a string of lukewarm sequels in the 1990s, many doubted whether audiences would be interested in yet another chapter. Yet Stallone pushed forward, determined to show that the character of Rocky still had something meaningful to say.

For Stallone, Rocky Balboa wasn’t just another sequel—it was deeply personal. “It’s like my brother,” he said of the character. “It’s the only voice that I can say what I want without being ridiculed, or being silly, or being precious or sentimental, because he is that way. Rocky can’t keep quiet. He just talks and talks and spills his guts.”

Stallone’s dedication paid off. The film, which follows an aging Rocky stepping back into the ring for one final fight, struck a chord with both fans and critics. It earned a respectable $156 million at the box office, proving that the spirit of the Italian Stallion was still alive and well. For Stallone, the success of Rocky Balboa wasn’t just a professional victory—it was a personal triumph.

“The fact that it worked out is incredible,” he said. “I’m incredibly proud of that.”

While the original Rocky remains a timeless classic, Rocky Balboa stands as a testament to Stallone’s resilience and belief in his character. It’s a film that not only brought closure to Rocky’s journey, but also reaffirmed Stallone’s own legacy as one of Hollywood’s most enduring storytellers.